A full week had passed since he met Ambassador Togo, and August 6 had arrived, but there was still no word from the Japanese side. Henry, however, was not impatient. This was not the future where satellite phones and video conferences were everyday things, so no matter how quickly news was conveyed, it was only natural that receiving a reply would take time in physical terms as well. Besides, he knew all too well Japan’s dreadful tendency to take its sweet time when it came to administrative procedures.
‘I never heard anyone say Japanese administration was fast even in 2026, when video calls were part of daily life, so how much worse must it be now? Besides, this is a secret deal asking them to openly work around the law. It’ll take some time for the higher-ups to go around getting all their seals stamped.’
In 1979, Japan still maintained ironclad regulations that, in principle, barred foreigners from owning domestic corporations. To them, Henry’s proposal concerned companies in a trivial industry and in sorry shape at that. But it was still an extraordinary request to open a back door through that wall, so they had no choice but to agonize over it.
If they simply turned a blind eye to the restriction on foreign capital ownership, everything after that would proceed at lightning speed.
A bank account with a limit of one billion dollars was something Japan’s commercial banks would be desperate to court, and the animation business would look to them like a truly insignificant “neighborhood hole-in-the-wall shop” kind of field. The only hurdle was approval to acquire [Tokyo Channel 12], which covered all of Tokyo, but given Henry’s proposal to give up everything except animation, there was a high chance it would be granted.
In the meantime, Henry spurred on preparations for his business trip to Japan.
In any case, a large delegation had to move in order to deliver the molds for [Enjoy] and inspect the production line. Henry decided that, regardless of whether the Japanese government accepted his proposal or not, he would take this opportunity to go to Japan and faithfully combine an owner’s inspection tour (1%) with tourism (99%). Of course, all the work necessary for production—talks with [SAF], adjustments to production facilities, shipping by vessel, and so on—had already been handled entirely by Marcus, and this time would be no different. For Henry, it really was an inspection tour slash vacation.
‘If I’m going to handle every little detail myself, why would I need executives I pay such expensive salaries to? A company runs properly only when the owner acts like an owner(?)..’
This was exactly the kind of life Henry had truly wanted as a returnee. He would set the broad direction himself, while capable professional managers handled the troublesome details in one smooth motion.
In the case of , he had only run around personally to reduce trial and error in order to use the cheat key of seizing the market first. Once it was on track, he planned to slowly take his hands off every frontline aspect of management.
‘It’s my first time looking around Japan in this era, so I should do some sightseeing here and there, take a look at areas where I can preempt real estate later, and although the think tank is currently researching the Japanese comic book and animation markets... research is just research. Nothing beats an on-site inspection for knowing what things are really like! I should do some preliminary fieldwork.’
Before boarding the plane to Japan, Henry dealt with his backlogged schedule one task at a time, as if finishing overdue homework. He met Charles from the investment company and firmly instructed him to maintain the silver futures position even while he was away. He also personally interviewed the talents recommended by the elders and built up the Devenzer family’s think tank and family office. He did not forget to maintain dignity while infusing a free atmosphere in the twenty-first-century style, stimulating the loyalty of those talents.
He also met with the heads of various subsidiaries in turn and listened to what they had to say.
Richard Smith of [Devenzer Liquor] said Benjamin was far too ambitious and asked Henry to rein him in a little. Benjamin, however, was still practically living in the Banana Belt, “deeply” and grandly drawing up plans for securing land there and developing it after purchase, so Henry was unable to meet him.
According to Richard, Benjamin had a strange insistence on creating apple orchards and vineyards on a scale at least comparable to a fiefdom. Henry wore a worried expression outwardly, but inwardly, of course, he cheered him on.
‘Benjamin, you admirable fellow. Even if it’s ten thousand acres, just buy it first. Land prices there are going to jump several times over, so you have to buy with both hands while it’s cheap.’
Meanwhile, [Devenzer General Construction] was in the midst of detailed coordination procedures with New York City, but since the project was practically confirmed, it had already begun preliminary preparations for construction. The city hall’s exceptional tax breaks even persuaded the opposition faction within the family, represented by the particularly fastidious Gilberto, to vote in favor. At present, things were proceeding smoothly as they negotiated a massive construction loan with [Chase Manhattan] Bank.
However, although he had received definite confirmation that the two legendary architects Henry had his eye on had expressed positive intent to participate, neither was currently staying in New York, so he had no chance to meet them in person.
‘They’re both living legends of the architecture world. What a shame.’
In his previous life, he had deliberately cut off his interest in architecture due to a certain incident, but thanks to the guidance of the NewTube algorithm, he had come to enjoy architectural content and, in the end, it had become a hobby. He had even developed a decent eye for it. It was an opportunity more thrilling than meeting most celebrities, so the fact that he could not immediately receive those masters left Henry deeply disappointed.
[Devenzer Shield] had already been a thriving business, but thanks to New York’s grim public security these days, it had properly benefited from the situation and truly grown wings. At some point, the number of active field security personnel had easily surpassed 1,000, and according to Joshua, if trainees in education and office staff were included, the total was nearing 2,000. The more congested Manhattan became, the more their profit margin climbed instead, even after shouldering all those labor costs—a strange phenomenon indeed.
With things like this, Joshua was handling a murderous schedule that could not even be compared to Henry’s. From training new personnel to meetings with high-profile clients and acquiring the latest security technologies, he had more work than ten bodies could handle. Watching Joshua, Henry thought to himself.
‘That’s right, Joshua. You stay stuck in the office. Just suffer a little longer.’
All the subsidiaries were riding high, but among the trust subsidiaries, there was one company in particular that was producing a massive deficit. It was none other than the [Devenzer & Zenith Hotel Group]. Since Henry had started so many projects all over the place this year that funds were tight, he had set a very modest goal for the hotel business, where he could hardly expect immediate profits no matter how much he invested. “Patch things up moderately and stabilize management.” That was exactly as far as it went.
But in this situation, an unexpected dark horse appeared: Harold, the professional manager newly recruited this time.
“Harold. Fine, I promise. By the middle of next year, I’ll make a major investment. Not just touching up the surface, but whether it’s a ‘renovation’ that completely guts the interior or a redevelopment that rebuilds from scratch, I’ll let you do as you please. So please stop pestering me and just put together a proper proposal.”
“Really, boss?! I’ll draw up an execution plan right away! We’ll have to change everything, from recruiting legendary architects to redefining the brand identity! Ah, and while we’re at it, how about purchasing the ‘air rights’ near ‘Devenzer Ridge’ and rewriting the skyline? As for the ‘Old Port Inn’ in Lower Manhattan, I’d like to buy up the adjacent lots and turn it into an ‘International Business Club’ equipped with Manhattan’s first car phone lines and telex network. Since Wall Street is nearby, this is sure to become popular! And on top of that, even if we have to kidnap top chefs from Paris wholesale...”
“...Fine, I get it, so first bring me a perfect proposal. If the content is solid, I’ll support you even if I have to scrape together every last bit of capital, or else pull in bank loans. Just go and make the plan.”
“Yes, boss! I’ll go make a killer plan right this instant!”
It was hard to believe he was the same person who had been standing there dejectedly until just now, trying to inspire sympathy. Harold bounded out of the office energetically, like a newborn foal.
“Bart... Harold’s passion is too much. I feel drained just watching him.”
“Haha, still, isn’t he unquestionably capable? He is also the great-grandson of James Hartford, the first manager of our family’s first hotel, the ‘Old Port Inn.’ His family has served ours for four generations already. Even while he was prospering at another hotel chain and being called its youngest-ever president, did he not rush over immediately at a single word from the family?”
“True, he did come without a second word when I said we were creating a hotel group. The problem is that ever since then, he’s come to see me once a week and poured out so many proposals that my ears nearly bleed...”
This year, Henry had only hoped he would manage things well, but Harold was a talent beyond expectations. Less than a month after taking charge of management, rumors had begun to circulate that he was covering the aging facilities with overwhelming service, and whenever Harold met Henry, he poured out ideas that were revolutionary for this era, such as introducing a job training system and cultivating a multiracial staff. Henry had been harassed so much that he had even given advance confirmation of investment and sent him away by telling him to just make a plan.
‘For some reason, I feel like the hotel business will run on its own as long as I give it money, even if I don’t pay attention to it. If so, I’m curious how far it can go. If I just steer it in the right direction from time to time with 2026 sensibilities, could it rise to become one of the world’s top ten hotel chains...?’
“Henry, while you were in the meeting with Harold, Gilberto contacted us. He says the Japanese government has unofficially agreed to the proposal for the ‘Japanese Culture Testbed and 24-Hour Animation Channel.’ However, they asked for our opinion on whether it would be all right if the loan provider were not the Industrial Bank but a Japanese commercial bank. Shall I connect you to Gilberto?”
“What?.. No, already after just a week? Huh? That’s absurdly fast. First, let’s speak to Gilberto and hear the details.”
As Henry accepted the receiver Bart handed him, an intrigued smile spread across his lips. In his memories of 2026, Japanese administration had a reputation for being unbearably slow, but it seemed this matter was an exception. Or perhaps it was the result of the bait Henry had thrown out—“yen-denominated execution in dollars”—properly stimulating the greed of Japan’s financial sector. Or perhaps they were truly desperate to change the country’s image. He could not tell which bait they had taken, but the important thing was that he had received permission to advance into Japan. Henry smiled happily and moved quickly, lifting the receiver to speak with Gilberto.
“Gilberto, I heard the outline from Bart. The Japanese side’s approval has already come through?”
“Yes, boss. Ambassador Togo Fumihiko personally called just now. He gave a firm answer that they would fully cooperate with your proposal. What’s unusual is that the decision was made quickly after only a few meetings. On top of that, Japan’s major commercial banks are showing extraordinary interest in the conditions you proposed. Judging by the offers coming in now, they are desperate to become the lending party even if they have to offer interest rates lower than the Industrial Bank. Shall I set up a schedule?”
“No. I was planning to go to Japan anyway because of [Enjoy], so I’ll meet the bank presidents directly in Japan and decide then. But if they’re fully cooperating... does that mean approval for the broadcasting company acquisition has come through as well?”
“That is correct. All of the companies specified in the proposal, including [Tokyo Channel 12]. However, boss, after our family office conducted an in-depth review of your plan, we would like to offer one piece of concerned advice. We judge that while the companies you selected may perfectly achieve vertical integration of content production, their influence and profitability will be weak.”
Gilberto then continued in a serious tone.